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Masked football "fans" clash with police in Brighton - six arrests

Six arrests were made, in what the man who led the policing operation at the Brighton v Crystal Palace match on Tuesday evening, described as the "most challenging football-related disorder that I have ever experienced".

On Tuesday afternoon groups of masked people, linked to both Albion and Palace, were looking for trouble with each other and police around Brighton.

Police dealt with a number of incidents at Brighton railway station which caused long queues, with some supporters missing the start of the game.

I have been involved in football policing at all levels and have been a match commander for Albion matches for 12 years, but I have never come across such concerted attempts to cause disorder and engage in violent behaviour."

"Outside the stadium, we dealt with a number of public order incidents, particularly amongst a contingent of away supporters who were being escorted from the railway station."

"We are aware that a significant number of people attempted to enter the ground with pyrotechnics, knives and knuckledusters, which were found following efforts to gain access through fire exit doors in the south stand."

– Chief Inspector, Simon Nelson

At one stage, a large number of people, who are believed not to have had tickets, overran the turnstiles in the south stand of the Amex Stadium to gain access to the away supporters' section, where several pyrotechnic devices were discharged during the match.

As fears of further violence grew a number of Crystal Palace supporters were refused entry to the game and escorted back to the train station.

We will be reviewing our operation and discussing the events of the afternoon and evening with the clubs. This was a return to the dark days of football and is not acceptable."

"We will also be carefully studying CCTV from in and around the stadium and the city in conjunction with Brighton and Hove Albion and colleagues from the Metropolitan Police to identify those responsible for the disorder."

– Chief Inspector, Simon Nelson

Six people were arrested on Tuesday evening.

Michael Shaw, 45, an electrician of Truleigh Drive, Portslade, has been charged with being a football spectator failing to comply with a banning order.

Kamar Jalal, 30, a financial director of The Savannahs, Langshott, Horley, and Mark Kentfield, 41, an administrative assistant of Duke Terrace Street, St Leonards-on-Sea, have both been charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

All three men have been bailed to appear at Brighton Magistrates' Court on 14th December.

A 26-year-old man from South Croydon and a 15-year-old boy from Brighton were both arrested on suspicion of throwing or discharging a missile.

They have been released under investigation.

A 51-year-old man from Worthing, arrested on suspicion of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress, remained in custody at 1pm on Wednesday.